KUALA LUMPUR. Nov 10: Delegates and others arrested at a conference on East Timor threatened Sunday to go on hunger strike unless they were freed or allowed to see lawyers, reports AP.

Reporters standing about 50 ('ards (45.7 metres) from a po-ice station heard them chanting "hunger strike, hunger strike, hunger strike."

Arul Chelvam. an organiser of Saturday's conference, said In a statement that those detained would refuse food if they were not allowed to see their lawyers or freed.

Some 200 demonstrators from the ruling National Front party burst into the conference hall at a downtown hotel during the opening session, hurling chairs and tearing down banners.

The conference was called off and police arrested 59 local delegates and seven of the demonstrators. Another 47 for-

eign delegates from more than 16 nations were deported.

The government warned in advance that it would prevent the meeting.

Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad told the Malaysian news agency Bernama in Ghana, where he Is on an official visit. "We do not want to do something which will damage our relations with our negin-bour. This (holding of the conference) is an irresponsible act."

He also said the government will act against those who flouted the law.

AFP adds: Philippine President Fidel Ramos today said that he would respect the decision of Malaysia to deport 11 Filipinos who were to attend a conference there on East Timor which had been banned by the Malaysian government.

“We must respect the Malaysian system of policies, rules and laws because that's their system. Ramos told reporters.